I’m going to have to start looking for alternatives to PLEX. I have been using it for 4 years with no major issues until this year. However they broke DLNA after 0.9.15, every version I have used since then just has not worked for DLNA despite asking for help no help was forthcoming. Every time I stepped back to 0.9.15 it worked flawlessly.
However they are removing support for previous versions and its only because I still have the .deb files I can actually step back. However it is clear that the web interface will no longer allow me to keep doing this.
Does anybody know of a decent alternative with support and works similar to PLEX?
Problem is neither the bluray player (sony) for my main TV or the Sony Bravia TV I use in the bedroom can do a plex client. My only option would be to buy a pair of chromecasts (I found the amazon stick plex app was choppy).
I might add I was very happy until about 3-4 months ago, when something is clearly broken with how DLNA works.
@majwalrus said:
… My only option would be to buy a pair of chromecasts (I found the amazon stick plex app was choppy).
…
It seems there are a few other options:
The Roku line has a stick product that is not too costly and is supposed to be as good as or better than the Roku 3 or there is the Roku 2 that has really good playback. (the same hardware as the Roku 3 but only an ir remote)
You could also look at a Raspberry PI on which you can run either RasPlex or the new Plex Media Player.
If price is no object I understand the best performing client is the Nvidia Shield.
And there are many other options other than a Chromecast.
BTW: I have several of the clients I listed and some others as well including a Chromecast but the Chromecast is totally unused because it it just too clumsy and flaky to use. I received it free as a gift and I feel the price I paid was too high.
I’m with @Elijah_Baley on this. Several alternatives to use, Rokus (stick or unit), Raspbery Pi (excellent sub-forum with lots of help), have not used the Shield but overall it looks good.
I, too, have Chromecasts (3 video and 3 audio actually). Love my audio ones, the video is just so-so.
Look at the options presented, you could be pleasantly surprised.
I have 2 PIs (one for messing about on, and one hooked up to my projector. Also not overly remote friendly). My problem is the TVs are the ones that see 90% of my own personal PLEX / DLNA use. I might look at the Roku line, but a quick search still puts that at 80 quid (UK based) to fix the issue.
I also agree with @Elijah_Baley. The new Roku stick they released in April is the best cheap choice.
I bought the new Roku stick a couple of months ago and it works great. I also have a Roku 3 and get the same performance from both. Now granted, I have a newer router (not one of those ISP provided ones that can often be iffy with wireless) and a smaller home, so I do not have wireless issues. And the Roku does not have the codec support of a Rasberry Pi, but it does give you access to more online content.
And I never use my Chromecast either (its the newer model). The wireless is very flaky. And as I said above, my new Roku stick has no issues with my home network.
DNLA in 2016 begs the question why. Better experience and more options by just using a client which are cheap. A few years ago I could understand it before streaming became mainstream but nowadays nope. Even blurays are not preferred by the majority since they just switched to streaming (Netflix, prime, hulu, hbo go, playstation vue)
There are so many reasons to not use or depend on the embedded players in “smart” TVs and blu-ray players that it’s not worth repeating for the 1000th time here in this thread. They have been hashed out in countless past threads. You’re far better off to get a proper client device that will be supported with updates and run better. There are plenty of inexpensive options already mentioned.
@kegobeer-plex said:
RPI2 or RPI3 + MCE remote = one of the best and cheapest Plex solutions out there.
Have to say I completely agree here. I have a pi3 running rasplex for our bedroom, great little setup that can be had with a remote for about $60 (Pi, power supply, remote), less if your tv decently support CEC.
I’m confused by your “not remote friendly” statement in regard to the pi, what client did you try? Both Rasplex and PMP are built with using a remote in mind…
I also leverage an older ROKU for an older TV. But, another option would be the new Intel PC-on-a-Stick devices. Much like the Raspberries, it would allow you much more functionality (in a Win-doze footprint) than a Roku device. … on-a-stick.
@majwalrus said:
I’m going to have to start looking for alternatives to PLEX. I have been using it for 4 years with no major issues until this year. However they broke DLNA after 0.9.15, every version I have used since then just has not worked for DLNA despite asking for help no help was forthcoming. Every time I stepped back to 0.9.15 it worked flawlessly.
However they are removing support for previous versions and its only because I still have the .deb files I can actually step back. However it is clear that the web interface will no longer allow me to keep doing this.
Does anybody know of a decent alternative with support and works similar to PLEX?
The next best alternative to Plex would be Emby. Very much like plex in almost every aspect however it’s still not Plex. I would recommend sticking with plex and trying to further sort out your problems. There’s gotta be a solution.
Another vote for the Roku Stick. I have 3 of them running in my home, and another 5 or so running on my friend’s TV’s. they are just plain bullet proof.
Not tried the Roku stick yet but my Roku 3 is rock solid and there’s some decent deals to be had on them. Other than that, the Pi is a good choice too.
@sremick said:
2015 model of Roku 2 is same CPU/RAM as Roku 3 for less money.
The remote is way better on the Roku 3 so I would pay the extra and get the 3. Roku 2 uses old school IR to transmit and has a cheaper overall feel and no jack private listening.
The remote is way better on the Roku 3 so I would pay the extra and get the 3. Roku 2 uses old school IR to transmit and has a cheaper overall feel and no jack private listening.
We actually use a programmable universal remote for sanity, so the IR is actually a benefit, not a negative. But I understand this can vary from person to person.
